June 2nd, 2020 by Sarah Miles

Hot summer weather can be great if you can chill in the garden or go to the beach for the day but it’s less pleasant if you’re stuck in the house or have to work in it, and sleeping can be difficult. Luckily, there are some clever things you can do, without having to install air conditioning, to improve the airflow in your room and make everyone feel a lot more comfortable.

Follow these simple tips to improve circulation in your home:

1. Open the windows

This is an obvious one but if you want to create good airflow, you need to allow air to enter the space. Hot air will build up quickly in a closed room in hot weather so open your windows to allow air to come in.

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2. Open the door(s)

Opening windows alone will let some air in but you can help the air to circulate by opening the door as well. In fact, it’s a good idea to open other doors in the house to encourage the air to flow freely through the whole space.

3. Use a fan

In addition to opening windows and doors, introducing a fan will really help to circulate the air much more effectively, especially if the air outside is very still. Place your fan next to the open window so that it can draw the air in and move it around the room.

4. Create cross ventilation

Cross ventilation, also known as wind effect ventilation, is a natural air cooling system that draws air into a space and then forces it out through a different exit. This creates a current of air that moves through the room, thereby cooling it.

You can create cross ventilation by adding an additional fan to the steps outlined above. Place a fan near an open window, to move the air that’s coming in, and then another fan near the door, to expel the air from the room. Place the fan at the door facing outwards so that it draws the air from the back and pushes it through the open door.

Wall-mounted fans and ceiling fans can also help this process as they are positioned near the top of the room. You’re probably aware that hot air rises, sitting at the top of the room and growing stale. A fan mounted on the ceiling or high up on a wall can get that hot, stuffy air moving again, cooling it down by improving air circulation. Air coolers work in the same way as fans, using the existing airflow, so they are an even more effective way of achieving cross ventilation.

The benefits of good air circulation

As well as the obvious benefits of cooling, there are many good reasons for striving for good air circulation. Stale air can become contaminated with moisture, allergens (such as pollen or dust mites) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – which are invisible pollutants present in indoor air which can include gases from cleaning products, air fresheners, and cosmetics. Good circulation keeps the air moving and helps keep it fresh, so not only is it cooler, it’s healthier too.